Word Origin & History

soil early 13c., "to defile or pollute with sin," from O.Fr. souillier "to foul or make dirty," originally "to wallow," from souil "tub, wild boar's wallow, pigsty," either from L. solium "tub for bathing, seat," or from L. suculus "little pig," from sus "pig." Meaning "to make dirty, begrime" is attested from c.1300. This is the sense of the noun in archaic night-soil.

Example Sentences for soiled

When a window is soiled you can write on it with your finger; then your finger becomes soiled.

The soiled dishes, caked with hardened grease, made him sick.

The extreme difficulty of cleaning the surface of mercury when it has once been soiled or greased, is due to the same cause.

Your cause is too French and too pure to be soiled in shedding French blood.

He was in a dreadful condition—a soiled and hopeless mass from the gutter out of which he had been rescued.

His coat is soiled and torn, his cravat is put on awry, and his linen is none of the cleanest.

Further, the leaves, which are seriously bitten into, are reduced to tatters and soiled with little heaps of greenish ordure.

The Chinese shop had the same soiled curtains, the same iron triangles.

You will observe that the bottom of the hanging shawl has gradually made a soiled streak against the plastered wall.

Little One looked at her soiled dress; but the stains had disappeared; and, most wonderful!